President-elect Donald Trump with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, his pick for ambassador to China, at a rally in Des Moines on December 8. Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping for more than 30 years. Photo: AP

President-elect Donald Trump with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, his pick for ambassador to China, at a rally in Des Moines on December 8. Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping for more than 30 years. Photo: AP